If you go

Planning for Amana’s Winterfest was fueled by a desire to help shake cabin fever while honoring hundreds of years of tradition.

The ninth annual festival Saturday will mix events from the past with activities new to this year.

Attendees who feel competitive — and athletic — can try their luck at one of the traditional outdoor games such as ham-put — shot putting a ham — log sawing, wreath tossing, hammerschlagen and the annual Amana Freezer 5K walk/run.

New competitions this year include the Snowcone Classic Obstacle Course — in which participants will have to run, jump, climb, throw and eat to successfully finish — and the Pork Chop Slap Shot competition.

Those who don’t want to participate can entertain themselves by watching the annual beard and mustache contest, perusing the ice sculptures and eating open fire chili and roasted marshmallows.

“It’s all for fun,” festival organizer Emily Kelly said. “You don’t want to get bored in the middle of winter; everyone is looking for something to do.”

Between 1,000 and 2,000 people come to Amana annually for the event, Kelly said.

In addition to outdoor competitions, indoor activities will introduce attendees to an “authentic piece of Amana” with a focus on traditional crafts and food, Kelly said.

“It’s about keeping some of those traditions (alive) and allowing people to see how it was back then,” she said.

Indoor events kick off at 8:30 a.m. with the annual communal breakfast in the Amana Communal Kitchen, followed by demonstrations in quilting, knitting, spinning, and classes in holiday pretzel making, cookie decorating, chocolate dipping and icicle decorating at local shops throughout the day.

Native Amana resident Kim Zuber will host a workshop about Amana’s traditional Holiday Pretzel — which in reality is more like a pretzel-shaped cinnamon roll — at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the Amana Meat Shop.

In addition to making and giving samples of the pretzels, Zuber also will share the pretzels’ history, which were traditionally made and distributed on New Year’s Day in the town’s communal kitchens.

“Anything shared like this at the festivals — old crafts or recipes — it’s kind of cool to see that continue on and have people learn more about that life,” Zuber said. “Anything you demonstrate in person makes it seem a bit more real and alive a bit more.”

The festival continues late into the night with the Snow Ball, which is held annually at the Iowa Theatre Artists Center. The event features a buffet catered by Amana’s Ronneburg Restaurant and performances by Silver Wings and Let it Ride.